Yes, there was a wall in Berlim, and is true that many people were dead becouse of him. Was made by the Russians, but the Germans had lost one war that they started, and the city like Germany was divided becouse of that. True, the wall was made for all the east germans don't run to west were the live conditions and the regime was better.
The Berlin Wall in the 80's
Of course the wall was only a mark of the Iron Curtin.we are talking one city not the hundread of miles from Russian border to the Black Sea. Yes, it last from 1961 to 1989, had much fame that some presidents, singers or religious man. True, a cult object and a mistic propaganda site, from both sides.
Conrad-Schumann, a RDA trop, run for west.
Of course the fall of the Berlin Wall was a big thing. Was the biggining of Germany reunification, was the end of the cold war (for many, not for me), and the colapse of USSR and Warsaw Pact . Yes, when was the 10, 20, 25 years wall fall birthday, there were one big party, with many people and lots of speach.
The Berlin Wall fall in 1989
Oh yes, Putin and Ukraine, Crimeia and sanctions had a lot to do with 25 years celebration. True, the Cold War is again in wold lives (it was a litle warm war, but it never ended). More weapons and the defence budget for 2015 will be high. Of course the politicians were bad, when since the wall were finish, conflits like Georgia, Balcãns, Iraq, Libia, etc, the defense budget were cut of every single year.
True, there are so many walls in the world that most of the people don´t care, doesn't now that exist. Yes, we will talk about them becouse it is terrible that we only talk about Berlin Wall and forget all the other wall's in the world, the people that live behind those concrete wall, and of course all the man, women and children that ware without see wich other
The Nicosia Wall. Made in 1974 after Turkish invasion, is still on, with UN forces in the midle. Some sides of the wall were ended and replace by gates, but not all of them. Cypruis is in Europe, is a country of European Union and Grece and Turkey are in NATO. The wall this year will "celebrate" is 40 anivesarie.
The Israel-Gaza wall. one of the most new wall's was made in 2005 from Erez (Israel) to Rafa (Gaza). The violence betwen jews and palestinians since the Hamas win the elections in 2006 was only one of many reasons to the extendent wall. Another war that all the members don´t want to ended. All the civilians are the main victims.
Belfast, Northern Ireland, Europe. They call "Peace Line", but in fact is a Wall like the others that we are talking. If there was not this wall radical Protestants and radical Catholics , probably kill each other's t'ill death.
Setúbal, it is a very nice city, military speaking. Not because of any war, battle (in memory i just remember one battle against Spanish in 1580 war) or confrontation, but by a rich group of army strutures, since 10th century (an arab castle near by), to 20th Coastal Defense (3 artillery regiments and 2 headquarters named "Brancanes" and "Onze"), passing by the 14th "Outão" Fort (in Roman times was a temple to Zeus) and a 16th century Fortress build by the Spanish Filipe's. All (at the exeption of the Castle and Fortress), are abandoned, but that is normal in Portugal with a crapp of politicians and defense ministers since 25 April 1974.
Casalinho Battery weapons location. There were probably six long range 280mm german guns in this Coastal Defense Artillery.
With a very important Port and Bay, Setúbal coastal waters were defended (such as i know t'ill last week) by "7th Bataria - Arrabida" and "8th Bataria - Abarquel", since after WWI t'ill the final of 20th century (very well explain in "regimento de artilharia de costa.blogspot.pt, by Fernando Limão").
The "Bataria de Casalinho e Moinho da Desgraça" that was deactivaded since the 1960 (3) was not part of CAR (Coastal Artillery Regiment), so was forgoten by me and for many more people. But if the information is correct, this was the regiment with the more powerfull guns in all Portuguese modern coastal defense, besides being one of the most small ones (some informations talk also about the bigger range in Portuguese CAR, but 50 km, like we will see is not a correct range).
The only photograph now of "Casalinho Battery" (probably from the 40's, with the Sado River an Troia peninsula in front) with the main guns. We can see the 280mm weapons had no side rotation and that they were assembled in raks to absorved the kick when they shoot.
Like we can see, "Casalinho" it was only the guns, guns implacement, munitions stores and some acomodations. The correct model of artillary used, i think was the 280mm Krupp in 1891-1906 models (since the information know only speak in a supposed 280 mm guns) with blindage protective structure. But by the shape it is possible that was the 210 mm from Armstrong (with a range of only 16 km that gives to "Casalinho" only close support to 7th and 8th battery) (2). Since Portuguese Coastal Defense used only artillary made by Germany and United Kingdom, and that the cal. was between 150mm Krupp and 234mm from Vickers (we are not considered "Casalinho" and the suposed 280mm guns), it is normal that this last model were one possibility. But the Portuguese system in Coastal Defence was made with short-med. and longe range, so with the introduction of most modern Vickers 234 mm in 6th "Bataria - Fonte da Telha" in the 40's with a 40 km range, it explain why the 280 mm was probably the right model and the reason of their retirement in 1950-1960 since was a much older gun (1).
A 280mm M-1891 Krupp model from the "Oscarsborg fortress" in Norway. Probably the main guns of "Casalinho" were "relatives" from this one (1).
If the information about the gun is correct the range will be between 14-40 km (the germans had at least 7 models of 280mm guns), and not the 5km or 50 km that are normal reference in blogs or internet sides (i don't see any books or write information about "Casalinho Battery"), with the 234 mm Vickers 40 km range beeing probably the maximum in Coastal Portuguese Artillery.
"Casalinho"guns were the only ones retired from their place (all the others are still there) in all the country. Is destiny is incertain but probably was scrapped in the 60s.
Armstrong 210mm gun also from Norway. This was another possibility for "Casalinho", since Portugal only had German and British guns in Coastal Defense, but it seams much short in rear that in the original photo (2).
"Moinho da Desgraça" was a near by observation post for "Abarquel" and "Casalinho" battery's. Is still visible the place for sighting equipment inside the bunker, very dificult to see from the sea, because of the shape and forest. Was abandoned when the main battery ("8th Bataria - Abarquel") was out of service in the final years of 20th century.
Casalinho in the midle 60's after the guns removed.
Still with the iron doors, the storehouse for amunitions. Probably the space were occupied or had someone paid by Salazar governement to do some maintenance.
From the river Sado, "Casalinho" and "Moinho da Desgraça" are very difficult to see (the first is down the white construction and the second is on the right).
(3) - The only reference to Casalinho's first service date is 1949, but by the type of guns and construction i don't think that this information is correct (another is the 28mm and not 28cm). Probably was in the late 20's or in the bigining of the 30's (since the guns were im Portugal since 1924). After the concluson of "Barron's plans" (no referênce to Casalinho) for coastal artillary, the 152 mm guns from "7th Bataria - Outão" (i read that before the modernization were used 147mm short range Krupp guns, one information that i have to see if is true since in some time i spend around this question i think that is a confusion with 150cm Krupp guns http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC1HHBH_7-bataria-rac-outao?guid=a7ab52d1-88dc-4303-8cc4-2b49f0203edb ) and the 150 mm Krupp for "8th Bataria - Abarquel", lead to desactivation of Casalinho's, probably becaouse there were better, faster and more modern. http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=q8smr7dvt03r&lvl=18&dir=0&sty=b&cid=C17AEC02D9130CD6%21419
There's not many models that i give to another person. This lovely and hard heligun was an of a very few exeption.
Portugal use 142 Aérospatiale Aloutte III in the African War sice 1963 to 1974. The most powerfull was this one none was "Bad Wolf" with a 20 mm gun.
The 9303 was a gift for his gunner in their 60th birthday. For 2 years he flew several combat and assault missions in this machine, that is still in service of Portuguese Air Force.
Heller model in 1/72 scale. The interior was scrach from Rocco Models and Verlinden acessories with a Italeri gun belt.
I paint with Revell colours and for the weather efects used Winton and Pebeo oils in a very dificult process that make by back hurt for several days.
I have some Kits to recover that friends of mine give-me becouse of the scale i work. One of them was a conversion 1/72 ESCI Sd-Kfz.250/9 to a Sd- Kfz. 252 with a Sd.Anh - 32 trail, a part of a big diorama that i want keep for another project. So, i made one single apresentation using the down photo (Russia 1941) but with the half track in the french winter.
The research give-me the Sd-Kfz.252 used since Poland Campaign so the history match. German had several ammunition carrier but from 1939-1942 was the main vehicle for the 75 mm shield. Armament was only a Mg. 34 but i don't saw any photos of them and the images were few and all in black and white. Some books had the Afrika Corps camuflage but all have on colour (dark gray or sand) making the task simple and easy.
Kit was invery bad conditions and some parts were lost. I used pieces from other german tanks and also american and british vehicles like the Sherman and Matilda. The base was from an old matchbox kit (a Priest or a M-3 half track) and Roco Minitanks give me several acessories for the chassis and to Sd.Ah 32. The problem was the glue in the bad esci tracks wich broke a few times the wheels and make me give up several times from the kit recovery.
The option of presenting the model with lots of snow brings me the sollution to hide some mistakes and i think it works very well.
Again i went to the kitchen and bring several ingredients to make the snow. White glue, liquid paper fluid and dry pastel make the rest. Then hair spray to give resistance to the base. A stick from an ice cream and a print in old make me finish the apresentation base.
The model was old with oil: Raw Umber, Carvon Black and Burn Siena for the tracks. Two or four hours after i used white dry pastel an the ingredients in the wheels, most in bad parts to hide several problems of the recovery.
Final touch was with a brush n.º1 and lots of white dry pastel in all the model. Done and in expositon box not to touch anymore.
Typhoon Classe SSBN (Akula name in Russia) it is an huge machine with 172 m long and 47 240 tons when submerged. Of course such submarine was to be one of my kits, and when Revell launch the 05073 i buy it for 20 Euros. It was my second submergible and after the "Redountable" it take-me abou 6 moths to do it.
Revell 1/400 SSBN Typoon Class 05073
One of the problems in that time was the few Typhoon Classe SSBN photos. Lots in black and white so the colours, paiting, and the efects of oldiness, weathe and water as chalenge. For me, the representation more real was one of the old Revell kit 05066 and so i did it. Today it make sense more black and less gray, but is still a fine kit with no problems in the work. Maybe one day a make another diferent.
Straight from the box an easy built. Only the "wings" give-me some problems but i fix them and make with paper a little box for who looks no to see the empty interior. Then i paint in dark gray and give him the oils with a mix of burn siena raw amber and mate black. It is funny, but in my research i see lots of Typhoon class submarine kits finished in that colours. It is possible that salt water and winter ice make them that way.
Paraguay is a landlocked country but have one navy of 1950 men with a Marine Corps of 800 soldiers (some sorces advance with a total of 3500 man) and plus 100 from air corps. The naval tradition from a nation with acess to Atlantic ocean by the large Paraguay- Parana rivers is came from 200 years of history with many fights and wars. The Corrientes Atack (1865), Riachuelo Battle (1865) or Chaco War (1932/1935) are only a few examples of actions were Paraguay Navy was envolved since the independence in 1811.
Today the problems of a navy of old ships and lack of money to restore or buy new ones (although no problems of corrosion becouse water have no salt) is reduce the operation of less then 34 surface ships. Again, the spares of nations like USA, Taiwan and Brasil (Argentina is in a big economic crise) are making Paraguay Navy on the tracks, but the lack of powerfull and large units it is a problem dificult to resolved.
Lp-102 is one of two Light Patrol Vessel that came from USA. Is main guns are two 12,mm machine guns
Major units are the two Large Gun boats "Paraguay" and "Humaitá", build in Brescia, Italy in 1930 but out of service by engine and struture problems. The first is a depot ship and if will be money in future is possible that the engines are replaced and the vessel get back for active. Humaitá is a museum since1995 and even so the visits are restrited by lack of support in the couverture.
They are most powerfull river boats probably in the World, with 2/120mm guns, 3/76mm guns (2 in Humanitá) and 2/40mm guns (only 1 plus 2/20mm Oerlikons in Humanitá), more blindage and 86 sailors in the crue, they can make 1,700 Nm in 16 Kts.
In service the more large and capable vessels today are Patrol Ships: Cap. Cabral (P-01), Tte. Fariña (P-04) and Itaipu (P-06). All were give by Netherlands, Argentina and Brasil and all have main 40 mm Bofors main guns, 20 mm Oerlinkon (2 only in P-01), 12,7 mm machineguns (2 in P-01 and P-04, in P-06/4 along with 2 / 81mm mortars).
Tte. Fariña is 1 of 3 former class ships mineswepers "Bouchard", with P-03 "Capitán Mesa" scrapp in 1997, but "Nanawa" is still P-02 number and in some sources is under COMFG control (possible for repair or scrapp in the future).
The main naval base at Asuncion, Porto Sajonia with one of the Italian build Gunboats on the left (on the rigth are one floating dry dock and one floating crane )
With the inclusion of Croq.15 Class LP-201"Tenente 1º Pelayo Pratt Gil", for the first time since 1999 a new ship is put on service and is a first hand made one, since the last were from a 1967-71 construction from Tawan Navy. This type is very good for river patrol and other nations have similar ships, were speed (45 Kts), the crue (only 20 man) and the importance of a made in Paraguay boat (with GPS, nightvision and light sonar). Four are in use and it is possible than others will follow.
Non fighting ships are 5 Tugs (from USA and Paraguay) plus one buy in 2002/03 (Arsenal 2 A-2) and 3 landing craft use by the marines. At least more 8 small patrol boats Pira/Paraguay/Yamaha and the Precidential Yatch ( "3 of February", but with problem in engine) are in active service.
River Transport "Tenente Herreros" in still in active list but was no engine and when in use is propulsion is made by Tug R-5, so in a combat mission is very difficuld to make something with this vessel. Other large ship "Guaraní", used for transport and training, and than today is inoperative but for now is not in scrapp process.
It is possible that some of the Working Ships (in 2003 were 2; Dan-1/ Arsenal 1and L-01 Teniente Cabrera), Drech/Survey (Lh-1 "Rogelio Lesme" and DC-2 "Oscar Carreras Saguier") and service craft/service equipment are in use (the list of 2005 in histamar and wikipedia of 2012 doesn't do any reference to them).
Tug R-4 "Triunfo"
Naval aviation have 6 airplanes and 2 helicopters and is based Silvio Pettirosi International Aeroport (SGAS) in Asuncion but also have facilities in Puerto Sajonia. Cessna 150 is a training aircraft but is today in a process of aquisition of spares, and the others (1 Cessna 210, 2 Cessna 310 and 1 Cessna 401) are for liason except the last one use for transport. Only the 2 HB-350 "Esquilo" may use weapons like rokets and machine guns so is the only fight air united of Paraguay Navy so is very depending from the small airforce of the nation (less than 1 000 man and 44 airplanes and 15 helicopters). Lucky that the country is not big and the air forces make the necessary missions.
Training Aircraft Cessna 150
In conclusion, the Navy of Paraguay is still for the river an important force with 3 or 4 large ships, 21 patrol boats and 3 landring crafts for a commando and battalion of marines (that have experience with operations with US Special Forces and Brazilian Armed Forces). But the main ships are near the centenarian age (thanks to fresh water and limited use) and the motors of some of them like the 2 Gun Boats and the Transport Ships make hard a re-build.
Budget problems to make local or buil in other countries (in 1995 Class 101 and 55 were build in Spain but the lack of funds make them go to Surinam), give only the possibility of delivered small boats, much of them donate from foreign nations.
So, in the last years some of the capital ships are in reserve or in a re-build process, and like in the past with ARP Buqueron, the bad conditions and the price of scrapp (it was sold for 32.000 dollars), make them go away. But other small ships like Tugs had the same problem. And with the Argentina crises, the less power economy of Brazil, Paraguay Navy had only the means that can build in the nation or USA and Tawain can give them, what in that side or the World or in case of another Chaco war could be a big problem.
River Boat class Croq. 15, made from a design by Albert Nazarov. The first unit is call "Tenente 1º Pelayo Pratt Gil", a hero from Chaco War (1932-1935)
A fine picture of Paraguay Navy. From left to right Gun Boat Humaitá (today a Museum Ship since 1992 but is still the Flag Ship of the navy.) in Asuncion's Bay, Paraguay (today a depot ship pending a future return to active dutty from the replacement from their steam propulsion with diesel engines), two patrol boats (Classe Hou "modificada" from Taiwan) and P-01 Captain Cabral
River Transport Tenente Herreros that since 2003 is used was a barge with tug R-5 becouse was no motor. The similar Light Forces Tender and Command ship "Boquerón" (PHNC 2071) was scrapp in 2004
Helibrás HB-350B Esquilo from Paraguay Armada. In the botom is the Coastal Transport Guaraní that was to a School Ship for the navy before being seen in "Punta Remanso" were it was at 2008
